Contemporary again from our whirlwind 16-day tour of Egypt and we’re nonetheless reeling!
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We discovered that, with some superior planning, it’s attainable to see a lot of the nation’s highlights in simply two weeks. OR you possibly can go for the better, extra relaxed route and ebook a guided tour with a supplier like Woman Egypt and their Egyptian Legacy Tour. Whereas we’re not usually keen on guided excursions, we *extremely* advocate going with them, particularly in the event you’ve by no means been to the nation. Egypt is wild, rugged, and frenetic — all good issues in our opinion. However, it will possibly make unbiased journey planning a bit sophisticated.
We’re not speaking “off the overwhelmed path” journey right here. As an alternative, ours was a guided tour geared towards first-timers trying to discover the highlights — all the very best issues to do in Egypt.
Finest Issues to Do in Egypt
Discover Cairo
Cairo is manic, congested, loud, soiled, wonderful, and loopy enjoyable. Should you’re arriving by aircraft, it solely is sensible to permit for a couple of days to discover the town earlier than jetting off to the remainder of Egypt.
See the Skyline of Cairo
To totally admire the breadth and sprawl of Cairo, you could get above it. And the very best place to do this is to see it from atop the viewing platform inside The Citadel.
The Mosque of Muhammad Ali (aka “The Alabaster Mosque”)
The Nice Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha (often known as Alabaster Mosque) on the peak of the Citadel of Cairo is among the many most sacred, stunning, and vital in all of Egypt. The ornate trimmings within the foreground bush spell out “Allah” in Arabic.
Look Up Contained in the Alabaster Mosque
The within of the Alabaster Mosque is each bit as beautiful as the outside. Remember to search for from the middle of the mosque — the ceiling is wonderful.
The Advanced at Giza
The advanced at Giza — together with the Nice Sphinx and the three pyramids — wants no introduction or caption. It’s hands-down Egypt’s most iconic website. It’s simply as awe-inspiring in particular person as your highschool historical past books promised.
Behold the Scale of The Nice Pyramid of Giza
The Nice Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three historical pyramids inside the Giza Advanced. Whereas most photographs present the view from afar, we couldn’t assist however marvel on the dimension, scale, and intricacy of the stonework whereas standing proper up near it, trying up.
Discover Shisha in Cairo’s Khan el Khalili Bazaar
Khan el Khalili Bazaar is a microcosm of Cairo as an entire. It’s frenetic, loud, busy, bustling, and pulsing with power day and evening. When you’ve had your fill of Africa’s largest and oldest souk, duck into Naguib Mahfouz Cafe for espresso and a little bit of shisha. It’s one other iconic expertise for guests to Egypt as an entire and Cairo specifically.
Discover Egypt’s “Lesser Identified” Temples
There are not any “hidden gems” on the planet of Egypt’s temples. They’re just about all squarely on the overwhelmed path. However some, like Edfu, are barely lesser-known however each bit as stunning as, say, Luxor.
The Temple of Horus at Edfu
The doorway to the Temple of Horus at Edfu is simply huge. For a way of scale, the 2 tiny, barely seen dots close to the bottom of the doorway are individuals.
The Pillars at Edfu Temple
The size of Historical Egyptian structure is sort of actually unimaginable. The Temple of Edfu took greater than 100 years to construct and stays the most effective preserved relics of its variety. Earlier than the desert stripped the partitions and columns naked, the whole construction was painted in sensible blues, reds, and whites (look intently at this photograph and you’ll nonetheless see traces of coloration left close to the ceiling).
Exploring Edfu Temple
Go to Luxor, Egypt
Luxor (the trendy metropolis and the temple) are amongst Egypt’s prime 5 locations, explicit for brand new vacationers. Enable for no less than a day or two discover the trendy metropolis of Luxor correct, the Valley of the Kings, Luxor temple, and the huge Karnak Temple Advanced.
Hop a Dawn Scorching Air Balloon Trip Over Luxor, Egypt
We awoke at an ungodly hour to reach in time for a dawn sizzling air balloon experience over the West Financial institution of the Nile and the Valley of the Kings. It’s one of the vital iconic experiences for vacationers to Egypt and value each hour of missed sleep.
The Imposing Colossi of Memnon Close to Luxor, Egypt
After our sizzling air balloon touched down close to Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, we paid a brief go to to the imposing Colossi of Memnon. These two huge statues of Pharoah Amenhotep III are a part of the few remnants of the unique Theban Necropolis close to modern-day Luxor.
Go to Luxor Temple at Night time
It’s virtually unimaginable to select a favourite temple or website in Egypt. However, Luxor Temple is correct close to the highest of our listing. All lit-up at evening, it’s simply stunning!
Marvel at Abu Simbel
Egypt’s pyramids could get the entire love in journey guides and historical past books. However, Abu Simbel was the “huge get” for us. It’s an extended, three-hour trek every means via the desert nevertheless it didn’t disappoint.
Approaching Abu Simbel
Approaching Abu Simbel from the surface, the temple is each bit as beautiful as we hoped …
The Towering Sentries of Rameses II Inside Abu Simbel
… and the view inside Abu Simbel is each bit as wonderful too!
They stunning a lot don’t let vacationers go away with out having their photograph snapped holding the Key of Life at Abu Simbel. So we did!
Get Misplaced within the Desert
Egypt is, in fact, finest recognized for its deserts. Rightfully so, given that almost all of the nation is an unlimited, uninhabited expanse of sand. So, it’s solely becoming you spend a few of your journey getting misplaced within the desert …
Hike the Desert Close to Hurghada
Lots of the cities and cities in Egypt exist as digital “islands” amid a sprawling desert panorama. The borders of civilization are sometimes clearly outlined, giving strategy to a seemingly limitless expanse of sand. Turning off the street to Hurghada, we found simply how shortly yow will discover your self “within the center” of nowhere.
Hop an ATV Trip Exterior Hurghada
An ATV experience within the desert is sort of compulsory for vacationers to Hurghada. The city is well-known for its seaside resorts, however the sands on the outskirts are additionally a playground for adventurous vacationers trying to discover on foot, by camel, or through ATV.
Chat with a Completely satisfied Bedouin Camel
We discovered this quite joyful trying camel chilling with the Bedouins within the desert outdoors Hurghada. If we didn’t know higher, we’d assume he was smiling!
Take a Camel Trip within the Desert
Along with feeding us, the Bedouins have been variety sufficient to take us on a camel experience within the desert. Once more, it’s virtually an compulsory expertise for guests to Egypt.
To see all this, together with the most amazing highlights of Egypt, try a package deal tour of Egypt from Lady Egypt Tours!
